Under the new multi-year agreement, SES Platform Services will be providing signal turnaround, video processing, and uplinking services for StarTimes’ SD and HD channels. StarTimes has more than 5 million DTT and DTH subscribers across 16 countries in Africa and currently provides English-language TV content to viewers across the region via the SES-5 satellite located at 5 degrees East.

“We want TV audiences in Africa to perceive StarTimes as a reliable DTH platform operator broadcasting engaging content at competitive rates to its subscribers. We are confident that SES and SES Platform Services have the space and ground infrastructure and the expertise to help us grow our TV business by delivering a wider range of attractive offerings across the continent,” said StarTimes Group Chairman and President Pang Xinxing.

“The new contract reiterates StarTimes’ utmost confidence in SES’s and SES Platform Services’ capabilities to provide both space and ground segment services to grow their business in Sub-Saharan Africa. We are proud to be a valued partner of StarTimes, supporting their growth ambitions in new African markets,” said Wilfried Urner, Chief Executive Officer of SES Platform Services.

SES (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) is the world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of more than 50 geostationary satellites.

The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide.

SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the satellite industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements.

SES holds a participation in O3b Networks, a next generation satellite network combining the reach of satellite with the speed of fiber.